Eliminate halftime, fewer commercial breaks, and simpler rules. He promised that there would be a lot of innovations and the game will be shorter, faster-paced, and easier to understand.
McMahon said that the XFL will be available across all platforms and they are looking for ideas from everyone including fans and football experts.
McMahon took questions…
Brian Fritz asked why McMahon believes that now is the time to bring back the XFL. McMahon said that there are 70 million football fans and there are 7 months without football. He’s always wanted to bring it back. McMahon said that the quality of the play is something they will work on and they have 2 years to get it right.
McMahon was asked about media plans. He said that it’s important to consider the standard way to present the game (traditional TV) and other forms of media. There is interest but no talks yet with potential media partners.
McMahon was asked if this affects his day-to-day control with WWE. McMahon said that this changes nothing for WWE and he will continue to be Chairman and CEO. No crossover between WWE and the XFL.
McMahon was asked about his role during games. He says that this press conference might be the last you see of him. He will hire others and he will not be the face of the brand.
McMahon says that he’s had this plan for some time and it has nothing to do with some of the fan backlash against the NFL.
McMahon said that the league will start at the end of January/early February, just like last time.
XFL will not have a franchise model. They need to do research before they announce cities for teams.
McMahon was asked about concussions and CTE and his plans to keep players safe. He said that he is reimagining the game and wants it to be safe as possible but wants it to still be football. He said that they will bring in medical experts to help.
McMahon was asked if Donald Trump would be supporting the league. He has no idea and it will have nothing to do with politics and social issues. Fans want “really good football” and that is what they will deliver.
Is Vince concerned with oversaturation? McMahon said that there is no football for 7 months and the demand is there and this will be a faster, fan-centric game.
McMahon was asked if players would be suspended if they make political speeches. He wants everyone to abide by the rules. McMahon said that the National Anthem is a time-honored tradition so whatever the rules are is what everyone will abide by but there are other ways that players can express themselves (ie facebook, twitter). The player’s job is to play football.
McMahon said that the team locations will be decided by fans but they are nowhere near figuring that out.
He said that he is looking at putting teams in some NFL cities. Baseball stadiums could be used if they NFL teams are not available. He said that every city is on their radar for a potential team.
He said that watching a 3 and a half hour game can sometimes be laborious. They are going to try to get the games down to 2 hours.
He said that he’s been thinking about the XFL relaunch for many years, even before the ESPN documentary. He praised Dick and Charlie Eberson.
McMahon said that there were talks about a different name but he thinks about the equity and they think it’s a cool name.
He is open to streaming on all platforms and all options are on the table. By simplifying the rules, it makes the league more global-friendly.
McMahon is open to nicknames on jerseys but he wants to listen to the fans and football experts. As far as the National Anthem, he says it’s a time-honored tradition to stand so it would be appropriate to do that.
The teams will be brand news but is open to bringing in a couple of team names from the past.
He is asked about possibly bringing in someone like Tim Tebow, Johnny Manziel, Colin Kaepernick. He said that criminal history will be a factor. If you have a DUI then you will not play in the XFL. He is open to Tebow playing in the league.
He was specifically asked about Kaepernick. McMahon said yes, as long as they abide by the rules. Anyone who signs on will know the rules and they will know to abide by them.
There will be no wrestling announcers like before.
McMahon said that he will hire professionals and he will take a backseat to all of that and “I’m not going to be up front.” He did not seek Linda McMahon’s opinion on his decision to relaunch. He said that there will be a lot of differences on the field and they will do everything possible to give the fans what they want.
That wraps it up.
Click here to see the press conference.
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